Population Studies and Training Center

Migration Studies Certificate

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Migration Studies Certificate

The Certificate in Migration Studies, offered by the Population Studies and Training Center (PSTC) in partnership with the Department of Sociology, promotes a multidisciplinary understanding of migration and competency in a range of research methodologies.

Migration is at the core of human history. People have always moved in search of opportunities, and to escape hardship and threats to well-being. In the modern era migration at the national and international levels changes the demographic and ethnic compositions of cities and nations, and challenges and transforms national identities and political cultures.

The Certificate links students to diverse learning resources spread across departments and centers at Brown University, and by building community among students and faculty with shared interest in migration, immigration, and the immigrant experience.

Eligibility

As with all undergraduate undergraduate certificates, students may only have one declared concentration and must be enrolled in or have completed at least two courses toward the certificate at the time they declare in ASK, which must be no later than the last day of classes of the antepenultimate (typically the sixth) semester.

Requirements

The program places particular emphasis on research methods, research experience, and rigorous approaches to the study of migration. The required introductory course covers the central features, concepts and foci of international migrations studies, and the two elective courses selected from the lists of preapproved courses expose students to diverse substantive concerns and disciplinary approaches. A required methods course from a list of preapproved courses exposes students to methods beyond their concentration requirements. Finally, students complete a thesis, project or an experiential learning requirement.

Students who undertake a senior project or thesis for their declared concentration are required to have a migration related topic as the central focus of the project or thesis. Proposals for projects/theses need program approval for migration content. As an alternative to a project or thesis, students may participate in a faculty research project with a focus on migration, or complete an internship or volunteer with a community organization that primarily services immigrant communities. 

Questions

Please direct any further questions to program director, Prof. David Lindstrom.